I bought my most up-to-date flashgun, a 580EX II, early this year, shortly before the 600EX was announced. I am interested in the 600EX, but early Spring of 2012 started a frugal period for me, that will last until some time in 2013. I am going to be reading all I can find on the 600EX and the newest Pocket Wizards. The latter have my attention because I bought several pre-owned Nikon SB-80DX and SB-800 flashguns, with the intention of using them with my Nikon film cameras and my Canon DSLRs. I do not call myself a Strobist, yet, but have certainly been influenced by viewing the Strobist site, and repeatedly viewing Zack Arias' excellent One Light DVD.

I do use my 580EX II, 580EX, 320EX, and Nissin Di866 II off-camera, with an ST-E2 on the camera, but cannot claim any level of expertise much beyond the beginner level.

I had two 580ex II’s, and loved them. I sold them, though, in order to get the two 600ex’s. It was all about the radio triggering capability for me. I really wish it was possible to trigger the 600’s via radio AND also the 580’s at the same time via infrared (or whatever it is). Unfortunately, you have to choose one or the other. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have sold my 580ex II’s.

I really like the 600’s, but they haven’t completely changed my life. The 580’s did the trick most of the time, but keeping them in the line of sight of the camera was always a concern. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that anymore.

The other night I pointed one yellow gelled and one blue gelled 600ex from my 4th floor balcony onto a building across the street. I then went out into the street with my camera and shot the building from different angles. The flashes were, or course, triggered with the ST-E3-RT. Being able to light up the entire side of an apartment building is something I couldn’t have done with the 580 II’s alone. The idea was to balance the blue and yellow gelled flashes to light up the building in various shades of green. It worked, and produced quite a unique effect. I had to call it a night though, when the Japanese police came.

One thing that I like about the 600ex, over the 580ex, is that you can set them up to beep when they have recycled and are ready to fire again. Not a huge thing, but it makes it feel more like I’m using a studio strobe.

The 600s come with light balancing gels – about time! I think Nikon has been doing that for a while now.

On camera, I don’t see much a difference between the 600 and 580. The 600 zooms to 200mm, and I think the 580 went to something like 105mm, if I remember correctly.

I figured I would bump this one to the top. Is anyone else here using the new 600EX?

The menu and controls appear to be more user-friendly to analog dinosaurs such as myself, than the 580EX series. It also appears the display is much more friendly to older eyes. I may try one soon, especially as I have enrolled in a Syl Arena event in Houston that will occur in early November. (He authored an excellent book on Canon Speedliting.)

I have two of the 600EX flash heads and do like them. They were made for the 5DIII which I also have. What is so nice is that they can be completely controlled from the back of the camera. You just set them up and your ready to go. Just a few button presses to adjust lighting. Adjusting for ETTL or Manual flash are both easy.

I am fairly new to flash and have also ordered an Alien Bees B800 studio flash. As the Canon's are radio I think the B800 will trigger off the light with no problems. The B800 will produce a little more light and I think two field 600's will serve my uses.

I very nearly purchased a 600EX-RT before attending Syl Arena's Speedliter's Intensive in Houston, but I elected not to stretch my budget, and am glad I waited. The 580EX II is still a very viable and useful flashgun, so it is better for me to wait until I can afford several of the newer radio-technology units, and I think a 5D Mark III is a higher priority than new flashguns.

The 580EX II is also controllable using the camera's menu, from the 40D onward, which made the presentation a really good value. The same is true of the 430EX II, though it cannot be a master flashgun.